LIVING IN
Brisbane Festival is back Adelaide Street tunnel update Clearway Action Plan
More bins, less landfill, better Brisbane: Lord Mayor
More than 170,000 Brisbane households are already using green bins to recycle garden waste, diverting over 43,000 tonnes from landfill every year.
From August, we’re making it even easier by providing a green waste bin to every eligible home that wants one.
Whether you're mowing the lawn, trimming hedges or disposing of palm fronds, you'll have a dedicated bin to keep green waste out of landfill and turn it into compost instead.
This rollout will also help households offset the rising cost of the Queensland Government’s waste levy bin tax.
It’s another practical way we're easing cost-of-living pressures, backing our suburbs, and keeping Brisbane clean, sustainable and Australia’s lifestyle capital.
Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner
Lord Mayor’s Safer Suburbs Grants
are open
We’re helping local sports and community clubs improve security around their premises with the second round of the Lord Mayor’s Safer Suburbs Grants.
In the last round, 69 clubs across Brisbane, including Kenmore Districts Rugby Club, received grants of up to $10,000 to pay for new security and safety measures such as:
security screens
locks
CCTV cameras
alarm systems.
The second round of grants offers funding to not-for-profit clubs leasing Council facilities.
To find out more, search 'Lord Mayor’s Safer Suburbs Grants' on our website.
Get the most out of your green bin
Our citywide rollout of green bins is underway.
Make the most of our green waste collection service with our top 5 tips.
Know your collection day: Green bins are collected fortnightly. Use the Brisbane Bin and Recycling app to check your collection schedule and set reminders so you never miss a pick-up.
Plastic bag free: Always place green waste directly into the green bin — no plastic bags, even if they're labelled biodegradable or compostable.
Trim it down: Cut larger branches or palm fronds so they fit easily in the bin and the lid can fully close.
Watch the weight: Garden waste can get heavy. Avoid overloading your bin or placing unacceptable materials, such as soil, rocks and stones, to ensure it can be safely collected.
Stick to garden waste: Only put plant material in your green bin — no garden hoses, plastic pots, potting mix bags, or other non-organic items.
Go to our website and search ‘green waste recycling service’ for more information.
Be prepared, check your bushfire risk, make your Bushfire Survival Plan and maintain your property today. brisbane.qld.gov.au
Kenmore Districts Rugby Club
More clearway reviews to keep Brisbane moving
We’re making it easier for you to get around sooner and safer as part of the Brisbane Clearway Action Plan.
We’re looking at how we can make better use of existing roads during busy periods to keep traffic moving at three key locations:
Abbotsford Road, between the Inner City Bypass off-ramp and Bimbil Street
Bowen Bridge Road–Lutwyche Road, between Gregory Terrace and Kedron Park Road
Wynnum Road, between Junction Road and Belmont Road.
Our aim is to find ways to use road space more efficiently during peak travel times, helping to reduce delays and improve safety for all road users.
For more information, search ‘Brisbane Clearway Action Plan’ on our website.
NOMINATE AN UNSUNG HERO
The Lord Mayor’s Australia Day Awards are open for nominations. Help us shine a light on the quiet achievers, everyday heroes and community events that make Brisbane a better place to live, work and relax. Visit our website and search ‘Australia Day Awards’ to nominate.
BETTER ACCESS TO NUDGEE STATION
We’re building a new road linking Railway Parade to Saint Achs Street in Nudgee to make it safer and easier to access the train station. Work includes a new pedestrian crossing, extending footpaths, landscaping, lighting and signage. The project is due to be finished by late 2025.
MORE FLOOD CAMERAS
New flood monitoring cameras have been installed in Boondall, Carseldine and Windsor, and we’ve upgraded a camera at Newstead. These feed into our emergency dashboard during severe weather events so you can check local road conditions before you leave home. The new cameras bring our network total to 57 and are funded by Brisbane City Council, the Australian Government and the Queensland Government’s Get Ready Queensland program.
Milestone for crumbed rubber roads
We're dedicated to keeping Brisbane moving, which is why we’re developing new methods for creating stronger roads.
As part of our testing, we recently completed the twentieth trial of combined crumbed rubber and bitumen at the 470-metre Swanwick Street in Zillmere.
The process involves mixing shredded tyres with bitumen to recycle old tyres and create roads that last up to a decade longer.
The crumbed rubber asphalt blend slows the aging of bitumen which means fewer repairs for us and road users can have a smooth and safe journey home.
Get on board Brisbane’s New Bus Network
Brisbane’s New Bus Network is making it easier for you to get around Brisbane sooner and safer.
New routes, extended all-day services, improved service frequency in the suburbs, and turn-up-and-go Brisbane Metro services on the M1 and M2 routes are helping to keep Brisbane moving.
To plan your journey, visit journey planner at jp.translink.com.au
Brisbane Festival is back!
Brisbane Festival returns from 5 to 27 September with a program packed with theatre, music, dance and creative expression.
Bursting to life on Saturday 6 September, don't miss the free, familyfriendly fireworks extravaganza, Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust.
With more than 100 events over 23 days in theatres, gardens, galleries, parks, halls and community centres, there is something for everyone.
Start planning your festival now by visiting brisbanefestival.com.au, where you can choose your own adventure, from family fun to date nights. Brisbane Festival is a proud initiative of Brisbane City Council and the Queensland Government.
Footpath works on the Story Bridge
We’re starting work on the Story Bridge footpaths, as part of a more than $18 million investment in the bridge this year.
We’ve been maintaining and monitoring the condition of the footpaths and found the current concrete slabs will need replacing in the next 2 to 5 years.
Out of an abundance of caution we have closed the footpaths while we install new decking. We expect the new decking will be completed on at least one side of the Story Bridge footpaths before the end of the year.
In addition to the decking, a further $6.2 million is being invested in Story Bridge works over the coming year towards the long-term concrete and steel rehabilitation, repairs to gantry connection and investigating improvements to the bridge’s thematic lighting.
Next year we’ll finalise the $5 million Story Bridge Restoration Business Case, jointly funded with the Australian Government, to plan for the bridge’s progressive restoration over the next 15 to 20 years.
Thank you, Brisbane!
Thanks to your generosity, the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust distributed more than $200,000 to 27 local Brisbane charities in the 2024–25 financial year through two Ratepayer Charitable Suppor grant rounds.
By donating your $15 early rates discount, you’ve helped support these grassroots organisations, addressing food insecurity, homelessness domestic violence, illness and disability.
The Lord Mayor's Charitable Trust has been caring for the Brisbane community since th 1950s, providing support to Brisbane's frontline charities.
Learn more about the Trust and the upcoming grant rounds at lmct.org.au
Scan the QR code for a full list of charities supported by the Ratepayer Charitable Support grant rounds.
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VARIOUS
BIGSOUND, 2-5 SEPTEMBER
Various locations, Fortitude Valley
Discover the future of music at this sensational showcase of the best and brightest musical talent, held across 4 days and 3 nights in Fortitude Valley's live music precinct. bigsound.org.au
RIVERFIRE BY AUSTRALIAN RETIREMENT TRUST, 6 SEPTEMBER
Various locations
Take a front-row seat along the Brisbane River for an electrifying display of entertainment and fireworks launched from bridges, barges and city rooftops. Save the date for family fun. brisbanefestival.com.au
FESTITALIA, 11AM–6PM, 7 SEPTEMBER
Brisbane Showgrounds, Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills
Make this Father’s Day truly special by celebrating Italian-style! Indulge your tastebuds with Italian cuisine and enjoy traditional music, dance and theatre. festitalia.com.au
BRISSTYLE TWILIGHT MARKETS, 4-9PM, 12 SEPTEMBER
King George Square, Brisbane City
Check out the first BrisStyle Twilight Markets of the season, featuring local artisans and their handmade wares. Held monthly until 19 December 2025. brisstyle.com.au/brisstyle-twilight-market VARIOUS
BRIDGE TO BRISBANE, 14 SEPTEMBER
Various locations
Gather a group of friends or run solo for a good cause at Queensland's largest fun run. Win team and individual prizes or go for the best dressed award. See page 8 for our passes giveaway! brisbane.qld.gov.au
OUTDOOR
GALLERY – CRAIG & KARL: REAR VISION, UNTIL 20 OCTOBER, Various locations
Celebrate the humour, optimism and joy of one of Brisbane’s most successful international art exports, Craig Redman and Karl Maier. Curated by Carrie McCarthy and Angela Goddard. brisbane.qld.gov.au
Please check details and confirm with organisers that events are still going ahead before you make plans.
REGIONAL EVENTS
DRAGONBOATING
17 August, 9.30–11.30am, Yowoggera Park, Albion
Have fun, make friends and learn how to paddle in a 12–metre dragon boat. To book, visit tewakadragons.org
19 August, 9.30–10.30am, Teralba Park, Everton Park
Boost confidence, coordination and teamwork while discovering the joy of soccer. To book, visit gingersport.com.au
BUSH KINDY
19 August, 10–10.45am, Downfall Creek Bushland Centre, Chermside West
Build nature confidence with bushwalks, stories, art 'n' craft and more. eventbrite.com.au
YOGA BY THE SEA
19 August, 5.30–6.30pm, Arthur Davis Park, Sandgate Stretching, breathing, strength and balance exercises by the sea. Everyone welcome. brisbane.qld.gov.au
PILATES
21 August, 7–8am, Nudgee Beach Reserve
Improve your balance, posture and stability through corebased exercises. Suitable for seniors. brisbane.qld.gov.au
TENNIS
21 August, 9–10am, Northshore Tennis Centre, Hamilton
Social and fun lesson with coaches for all abilities. To book, call 3185 9256
Check out the Brisbane app for more event listings!
GUIDED WALK
23 August, 10–11.30am, Boondall Wetlands Environment Centre
A guided walk around the Tulla-yugaipa dhagun Track. brisbane.qld.gov.au
PICKLEBALL
29 August, 9–10am, Shaw Park Tennis Centre, Wooloowin
Discover a paddle sport you can learn in minutes and play for a lifetime. To book, call 3266 1660.
EDIBLE FLOWERS
6 September, 10.30am-12 noon, Bracken Ridge Library
Learn how to add edible flowers to your meals for flavour and colour. To book, call 3667 6060
LIVING IN
Listen on Council's website, Spotify or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.
New waste vouchers hit letterboxes
Households will receive new waste vouchers for dropping off general waste or uncontaminated green waste for free at any of our 4 resource recovery centres.
If you have waste vouchers left from the last financial year, you can still use them before they expire on 31 August 2025.
Our resource recovery centres in Chandler, Ferny Grove, Nudgee and Willawong also accept hazardous waste, such as paints, fluorescent lighting tubes, oils, fire extinguishers and batteries (fees apply).
Take advantage of our free household hazardous waste drop-off days throughout the year. The next one is on Saturday 6 September at Chandler.
Visit our website or scan the QR code to download our free Brisbane Bin and Recycling app to check what you can take to our resource recovery centres.
Stay safe from swooping birds
Magpie swooping season typically runs from July to December, when birds protect their nests and young during breeding season. Stay safe during swooping season with these simple tips.
Keep an eye out for signage about swooping birds in the area.
Don’t interfere with birds or nests.
Avoid known nesting areas.
Wear a hat or carry an umbrella.
Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.
If swooped, leave the area quickly, but don’t run. Watch the bird while walking away.
For more information, search ‘swooping birds’ on our website.
Win passes to enter Bridge to Brisbane
We’re giving away 5 family and friends packages of 4 passes each to Bridge to Brisbane on Sunday 14 September. To enter, visit brisbane.qld.gov.au and search ‘Living in Brisbane competition’. Entries close at 5pm on Monday 1 September.
Brisbane City Council acknowledges this Country and its Traditional Custodians. We pay our respects to the Elders, those who have passed into the Dreaming; those here today; those of tomorrow.
